391 LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
to the subject of soundness, he said you may have a recurrence 
of lameness from the same curb. 
Professor Pritchard , in reply, said in reference to the theory 
that the calcaneo-cuboid ligament was the site of the disease, 
in his opinion, if there was one theory less likely than another 
to be the true one, it was this—if it really was the structure 
sprained in curb, he was of opinion that the patient would run 
a poor chance of recovering. 
In reference to Mr. Dacre’s difficulty in understanding how 
an enlargement should be left where such a structure as a 
synovial membrane alone was sprained, Professor Pritchard said 
that when a synovial membrane is placed in the position of a 
sheath for a tendon or between a tendon and a ligament, it will 
allow of a certain amount of movement and no more; if this be 
exceeded laceration takes place, inflammation follows, and a 
quantity of lymph is thrown out, which subsequently becomes 
organised; he very much doubted whether many of the cases of 
so-called sprains of the hock, tendons of the fore and hind legs, 
are anything more than laceration of the synovial sheaths in 
connection with the tendons. 
In regard to the reduction of the swelling by remedial mea¬ 
sures, the Professor said there was a quantity of serum and 
fibrin effused in curb, and he was of opinion that it was seldom 
completely absorbed; but he considered the application of the 
biniodide of mercury ointment preferable to cantharides for this 
purpose, because when not too strong, you can continue its appli¬ 
cation for five or six days in succession without any risk of sub¬ 
sequent blemish. It causes the formation of a very thick scurf, 
which remains on a long time and exerts a pressure which has 
a very beneficial effect. 
He did not believe that curb was hereditary, but always resulted 
from an injury ; nor did he consider that there were two kinds of 
curb, but only different degrees, depending upon the extent of 
the injury originally inflicted. 
In regard to the idea that firing was beneficial as a preventive 
against curb, he did not believe that firing strengthened a healthy 
hock at all, and it was an act of cruelty to practise it for that 
purpose. 
The President then proposed that a letter of condolence be 
sent from the Association to Mrs. Hayes, expressing the 
sympathy which the members feel for her in the sad bereavement 
which she has sustained in the death of her husband. 
This was seconded by the Secretary , and carried unanimously. 
The President then proposed a vote of thanks to Professor 
Pritchard for his kindness in coming down among them, espe¬ 
cially on such short notice as he was able to give him on the 
present occasion, and treating them to such an interesting and 
instructive lecture as they had just listened to. 
This was seconded by Mr. Greaves, and carried by acclama¬ 
tion. 
